Operation Olivia
Why in News?
- Operation Olivia is an annual conservation initiative launched by the Indian Coast Guard in the early 1980s to protect the endangered Olive Ridley turtles during their mass nesting season along the Odisha coast. The operation runs from November to May, coinciding with the turtles’ breeding and nesting period.
Important Key Points:
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Record Nesting in 2025: In February 2025, Operation Olivia facilitated the safe nesting of over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles at the Rushikulya river mouth in Odisha’s Ganjam district. Gahirmatha Beach, another major nesting site, hosts around 8 lakh turtles annually.
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Extensive Surveillance: The Indian Coast Guard conducted over 5,387 surface patrols and 1,768 aerial sorties to monitor and protect nesting sites. These efforts led to the detention of 366 vessels involved in illegal fishing activities, significantly reducing threats to the turtles.
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Community Engagement: Operation Olivia emphasizes collaboration with local fishing communities and NGOs. Initiatives include promoting the use of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs) in fishing nets and educating communities about sustainable fishing practices to minimize accidental turtle deaths.
